Designing an accessible UI / UX framework to enhance player experiences within games

Dissertation project for my Computer Games Technology Masters. A detailed overview of the design considerations, implementation, testing and resulting is provided in the Slides - Section. The testing included comparisons with the colourblindness modes provided by most Operating systems

Menu Showcase

1. Drop Down menu selection (Pre-selected colours)

2. Custom choice selection

3. The colourblind options and what they look like

Context

The Poster

Video Showcase

Feature.Demonstration-subtitles.mp4

Slides

The Slides

Literature

1. To read the main disseration : 2104598_FinalDissertation_AccessibleUI_UX.pdf
2. The final presentation (pitch) : Final Presentation - 9th Sept.pdf
3. The context poster : 2104598_CMP504Coursework_Context_Poster.pdf

The Game

This is a prototyped version similar to Binding of Isaac which heavily influenced the visual style and player movement. At present it contains procedurally generated rooms, enemies and items contained in those rooms.

⚠Notice: The game is a technical verification prototype still under development, and is currently intended for author's master thesis only.

For the sake of the user test, player death is disabled to allow players to continue to fully test out the colour customisation features which forms the base of this dissertation.

User Controls

1. WASD Keys - to move around screen
2. Arrow Keys - to shoot projectiles at enemy characters
3. Esc - Pulls up menu screen

Files and Links

Download the latest release for playtesting:

1. WINDOWS Build_V4.0_Final.zip

2. MAC MacBuild_2.zip

3. LINUX (compressed with 7zip) UserTest Linux_2.zip

For user test participants:

Participant Instructions + Walkthrough guide

For the user test the following tasks are to be completed by the tester : sample test run through is attached in section below

1. Load up game and go through in default colour mode
2. Open setting menu -> Select through either custom colour choice or preset option (This cycles through various colourblind colour modes)
3. In Preset Mode ideally have a run through of each setting in a different room or same room
4. Colour customisation mode - This will allow you to choose your own colour choice options for each available setting
5. To simulate colourblind filters (In windows) follow steps below and note how the colour appears differently to you
6. Lastly fill out the feedback form attached below.

Questionnaire link: ⚠ NO LONGER ACCEPTING PARTICIPANTS ⚠

https://forms.office.com/r/FQyEFAf9CD This is an anonymous questionnaire. Your personal data, including email address, will not be collected.

Sample run through

1. Colour preset option

Colour.Preset.mp4

2. Custom Colour Mode

Custom.colour.mp4

Simulate the colourblind accessibilty filter (windows)

Start Screen Default	Filter on - deuteranopia	Filter on - protanopia	Filter on - tritanopia

Platform and technologies

Hardware requirements for optimal performance:

• PC, Windows, Mac, Linux
• Keyboard

For Simulating ColourBlindness

1. Windows Accessibility filter

• To run Cntrl + U -> Color Filters
• Turn on color filter
• Select the desired simulation mode

2. For Mac OS Filter - Follow this guideline https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/mac-help/mchlba06b669/mac
3. Colour Oracle - https://colororacle.org/ [Alternative Non - Persistent] [ For Windows, Mac OS and Linux ]
⚠Note: Colour Oracle requires Java 6 or higher ; Ideal if you have dual screens For Windows - https://www.java.com/en/download/

Instructions for running Colour Oracle

• Ensure you have Java installed
• Once Java is installed simply run the Colour Orale executable
• It will be pinned to taskbar (in the bottom right / in tray)
• right-click and select your colourblind setting option